A Portrait and Biographical Record of Hendricks County (Chicago: A.W. Bowen & Co., 1895)--pages 947-948
Lieut. James M. Emmons, one of the old soldiers of Hendricks County, Ind., ex-sheriff and a practical farmer, was born in Giles County, Va., October 8, 1828, the son of Jehu and Sarah (Henderson) Emmons. Jehu Emmons moved to Hendricks County, Ind., and settled in Marion Township, and was the father of Rebecca, Mary Jane, James M., John W., William and Oscar. Mr. Emmons was a Democrat in politics and died at about sixty years of age in 1861. He was a manufacturer of tombstones at Danville several years, and was so employed at the time of his death. He was a man of integrity of character, and John W. Emmons, his son, was first lieutenant in Company A, Fifty-first Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was all through the war and in many battles, among them Nashville, Tenn. William Emmons was in the Twentieth Indiana as a private and served three years and was in many battles, among which was the Wilderness, where he was wounded in the head.
James M., our subject, was about eight years of age when he came with his father to Hendricks County, Ind., and received a common education. He married Elizabeth J., daughter of James and Sarah (Whitt) Trotter, and to this union were born eight children, now living: James O., Sarah, Ida, Eldred, Joel, Gertrude, Adina and Lon. James M. Emmons learned the carpenter business when young, and settled in North Salem.
In 1864 he enlisted at North Salem, in Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-second Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and on the organization of the regiment at Indianapolis was elected second lieutenant of his company, under Capt. King and Col. Manker. He served out his time of ninety days and was honorably discharged at Indianapolis. This service was in Alabama and Tennessee, guarding railroads. Shortly after his return he enlisted as a veteran in Company E, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, at North Salem, for one year, and was promoted to sergeant. He served eight months and was honorably discharged at Indianapolis on account of the closing of the war. This service was guard duty in Tennessee. He was broken down from exposure, rheumatism and dyspepsia. After his return he resumed his trade of a carpenter at North Salem, and in 1883 bought 152 acres of land two miles south of North Salem, and here he still remains. In politics he is a Republican, and fraternally, he is a member of Lodge No. 142, F. & A. M., and was secretary several terms. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. He is also a member of Joseph Fleece post, G.A.R. He was elected sheriff of Hendricks County in 1878, and served two terms with satisfaction to the people and credit to himself. Mr. Emmons is a substantial citizen, has always been industrious, was an active and efficient soldier, and stands deservedly high for his integrity of character.